David Walliams: I want to come back to Charlie's story because this mystery of why he changed his mind and why the others didn't is fascinating. But before we come back to him, I wanted to ask David about your own views. You seem to have gone on a bit of a journey. At the beginning of the book, you're pretty much a fatalist. And not everyone is as obsessed with the problem of changing minds as you are. It felt like it was an opportunity to give myself some come-up of it.
Here’s a special bonus episode featuring my recent conversation with Tim Harford, author, economic journalist, and host of the Cautionary Tales podcast. We discussed a story from my new book, How Minds Change, about a conspiracy theorist who was certain 9/11 was an inside job until he actually visited Ground Zero to meet architects, engineers and the relatives of the dead. Tim and I reflect on what he can teach us about those who hold strong beliefs even in the face of damning, contrary evidence and why persuasion, especially if attempted poorly, isn't always the right answer.
• Hear more from Cautionary Tales at https://podcasts.pushkin.fm/ctsmart
• How Minds Change: https://www.davidmcraney.com/howmindschangehome